Alice’s head shave for charity

A student nurse from near Sleaford has had her head shaved as part of a bid to raise as much money as possible for two worthy causes.

Alice Davies, 20, from Ruskington, lost her locks at Sleaford’s Envvy salon last Tuesday, supported by her family and boyfriend, in aid of Blind Veterans UK and Leeds’ St Gemma’s Hospice.

She said afterwards: “I felt fine before Tuesday, but when the time came I felt incredibly nervous. The hairdresser is a friend of my sister, so I knew I was in safe hands with her doing it.

“There have been lots of positive comments so far which is good, too.”

Alice raised more than £400 through the fundraiser – smashing her target – but the goodwill effort is set to continue.

Later this year, she will be taking part in a sponsored 100km walk across Yorkshire and the Peak District, again to support Blind Veterans UK.

The Blind Veterans UK 100k Yorkshire challenge will mean walking through the night to complete the distance in 24 hours.

Alice’s father has been in the Royal Air Force since before she was born. He is now a Squadron Leader and served in former Yugoslavia, Iraq and Afghanistan. Alice, therefore, feels strongly about raising money for a military charity.

“I feel it’s important to give back to the veterans who have served our country,” she said.

Alice is currently studying at the University of Leeds to become a nurse and as part of her studies she had an eight-week placement at the end of her first year with St Gemma’s Hospice.

There, she worked alongside the nurses caring for the inpatients on one of the wards.

She said the charities fit well together and described them as incredibly important. She added: “They both focus on care and support, Blind Veterans UK for our ex-service men and women and St Gemma’s Hospice for those facing terminal illness.”

Blind Veterans UK was founded in 1915 and the charity’s initial purpose was to help and support soldiers blinded in the First World War.

The organisation has gone on to support more than 35,000 blind veterans, and their families, of conflicts from the Second World War to recent events including Iraq and Afghanistan.

St Gemma’s Hospice, meanwhile, is the largest hospice in Yorkshire.

To donate to Alice following her head shave, visit uk.virginmoneygiving.com/AliceDavies

Visit blindveterans.org.uk/support to learn more about the charity and how you can support its work.